Three Days of Winter

Dark clouds and cold rain
The heavens absorbed in the grief of loss.
Empty soul-aching groans
Rumble from the depths of the earth.
Sullen waters pool in the low places.
Wind moans through bare branches,
Bereft of life.
Moon and stars, for shame,
Hide themselves behind
Dark curtains of cloud.
No animals roam the wilderness.
The cattle in the field
Huddle together in their sorrow.
And even the carrion birds
Refuse to leave their perch.
For the life has gone from the earth.
The land stands barren and empty,
Hungry for a living touch;
A cultivating hand
To awaken the seeds lying dormant.
All creation mourns
The cold grip of winter,
Waiting for the spring to come
In three days.